Bacon County, Georgia - History and Genealogy

U. S. SENATOR A. O. BACON.

The senior member of the United States Senate from Georgia is a native of South Georgia. Augustus 0. Bacon was born on October 30, 1839, in the county of Bryan. The foundation of his education was carefully laid in the schools of Liberty and

Troup counties, and in his boyhood days he gave unmistakable promise of future distinction. He matriculated at the University of Georgia, where, after distinguishing himself both in the classical and literary departments, he graduated in 1859. Taking the law course at the same institution, he received his diploma in 1860. Just as he was beginning to embark upon his profession the tocsin of war sounded, and young Bacon, then in his twenty-first year, was among the first to answer the call to arms, he entered the Confederate army. During the campaign of 1861 and 1862 he was adjutant of the Ninth Georgia Regiment in the Army of Northern Virginia. He exhibited such excellent executive talent in that responsible position that he was made a Captain in the provisional army. Assigned to important staff duty, he remained in active service until the surrender of Lee at Appomattox.

At the close of the great struggle Major Bacon returned to Georgia, and in 1866 began the practice of law in the city of Macon. He took, from the first a high stand at the local bar, and within a comparatively brief period forged to the front rank of the profession. For many years he has been recognized as among the foremost lawyers of the South. And during his illustrious service in the Senate, has shown himself able to cope with the best legal minds of that august tribunal, winning national renown as a constitutional lawyer.

In his young manhood, Senator Bacon developed a liking for public affairs. He evinced a lively interest in the labors of the Democratic party, often serving as delegate to State conventions. In 1880 his signal ability as a parliamentarian caused him to be called to the chairmanship of the State Convention. He has several times served as delegate to national Democratic Conventions. His first service of this character was in 1881, when Grover Cleveland received his first nomination and won his first battle as a candidate for the Presidency. Major Bacon was an elector on the Seymour and Blair ticket in 1868. In 1871 he made his first race for the Legislature. He was elected, and from that good year he has been one of the foremost figures in Georgia politics. He served fourteen years in all in the General Assembly, winning golden opinions from the people of all sections of the State by his ability as a legislator. He was speaker pro tempore two years. He filled the speaker's chair for eight years, and in this high position won fame as a parliamentarian which has never been matched in the annals of Georgia.

Senator Bacon has played a prominent part in many of the exciting political campaigns in this State. After one of the hottest contests .ever waged in any State, he missed the nomination for Governor by a single vote. But nothing daunted, he did not give up the battle for gubernatorial honors. And, although in a following election he again met defeat when opposed by John B. Gordon, he did not relinquish hope of high political preferment, but simply bided his time. In a few years the Senatorial toga settled over his deserving shoulders.

In the seat rendered illustrious by Georgia's greatest men, Senator Bacon has shown himself altogether worthy as their distinguished successor. He has a mind of a very high order, and his services mark him as easily ranking with the leading intellects of those "most potent, grave and reverend seigneurs.

Among the many distinguished services which Senator Bacon has rendered the nation, the magnificent stand which he took against the Philippine policy of the Republican Party perhaps won him the greatest fame. In recognition of his notable work in this particular, he was made one of the leading members of the "joint committee of the two houses of Congress." which was sent on a tour of investigation of conditions in the Philippine Islands in 1901. This committee made an elaborate report to Congress.

Senator Bacon's first term expired March 3, 1901. He was re-elected for the full term by the Legislature chosen October, 1900.

Georgia's Public Men 1902-1904 by Thomas W. Loyless